Leave the presence of a foolish man, For you shall not perceive the lips of knowledge.
He who walks with the wise, shall be wise, But the companion of fools suffers evil.
And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone called ‘a brother,’ if he is one who whores, or greedy of gain, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler – not even to eat with such a one.
Leave the simple ones and live, And walk in the way of understanding.
Cease, my son, to hear discipline, And you shall stray from the words of knowledge.
A scoffer shall seek wisdom but find none, But knowledge is swift to him who has understanding.
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, For he treads on the wisdom of your words.
And Ḥ